Definitions of specific terms related to stormwater management provisions.
The following specific definitions apply in this article:
ACCELERATED EROSION
The removal of the surface of the land through the combined
action of man's activity and the natural processes at a rate
greater than would occur because of the natural process alone.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
The work of producing crops and raising livestock, including
tillage, plowing, disking, harrowing, pasturing and installation of
conservation measures. Construction of new buildings or impervious
area is not considered an agricultural activity.
ALTERATION
As applied to land, a change in topography as a result of
the moving of soil and rock from one location or position to another;
also the changing of surface conditions by causing the surface to
be more or less impervious; land disturbance.
APPLICANT
A landowner or applicant who has filed an application for approval to engage in any regulated activities as defined in §
153-700D of this chapter.
AS-BUILT DRAWINGS
Those maintained by the contractor as he constructs the project
and upon which he documents the actual locations of the building components
and changes to the original contract documents. These, or a copy of
the same, are turned over to the engineer at the completion of the
project.
BANKFULL
The channel at the top of the bank or point where water beings
to overflow onto a floodplain.
BASE FLOW
The portion of stream flow that is sustained by groundwater
discharge.
BIORETENTION
A stormwater management facility which utilizes woody and
herbaceous plants and soils to remove pollutants before infiltration
occurs.
BMP (BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE)
Stormwater structures, facilities and techniques to control,
maintain or improve the quantity and quality of surface runoff. The
PA Handbook of BMPs for Developing Areas and the Maryland Stormwater
Design Manual may be referenced for specific BMP practices.
CHANNEL EROSION
The widening, deepening, and headward cutting of small channels
and waterways caused by moderate to large floods.
CISTERN
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
CULVERT
A structure with appurtenant works which carries a stream
under or through an embankment or fill.
DAM
An artificial barrier, together with its appurtenant works,
constructed for the purpose of impounding or storing water or another
fluid or semifluid, or a refuse bank, fill or structure for highway,
railroad or other purposes that does or may impound water or another
fluid or semifluid.
DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DEPARTMENT
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DESIGN PROFESSIONAL (QUALIFIED)
A Pennsylvania registered professional engineer, registered
landscape architect, or a registered professional land surveyor trained
to develop stormwater management plans.
DESIGN STORM
The magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation
from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (e.g., a
five-year storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), used in the design
and evaluation of stormwater management systems.
DESIGNEE
The agent of the Tullytown Borough Planning Commission and/or
agent of the Borough Council involved with the administration, review,
or enforcement of any provisions of this chapter by contract or memorandum
of understanding.
DETENTION BASIN
An impoundment structure designed to manage stormwater runoff
by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined
rate.
DETENTION DISTRICT
Those subareas in which some type of detention is required
to meet the plan requirements and the goals of Act 167.
DEVELOPMENT SITE
The specific tract of land for which a regulated activity
is proposed.
DIFFUSED DRAINAGE DISCHARGE
Drainage discharge not confined to a single point location
or channel, such as sheet flow or shallow concentrated flow.
DISTURBED AREAS
Unstabilized land area where an earth disturbance activity
is occurring or has occurred.
DOWNSLOPE PROPERTY LINE
That portion of the property line of the lot, tract, or parcels
of land being developed, located such that all overland or pipe flow
from the site would be directed towards it.
DRAINAGE CONVEYANCE FACILITY
A stormwater management facility designed to transmit stormwater
runoff and shall include streams, channels, swales, pipes, conduits,
culverts, storm sewers, etc.
DRAINAGE EASEMENT
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
DRAINAGE PERMIT
A permit issued by the Borough Council after the drainage
plan has been approved. Said permit is issued prior to or with the
final Borough approval.
DRAINAGE PLAN
The documentation of the stormwater management system, to be used for a given development site, the contents of which are established in §
153-703C.
EARTH DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
A construction or other human activity which disturbs the
surface of land, including, but not limited to, clearing and grubbing,
grading, excavations, embankments, land development, agricultural
plowing or tilling, timber harvesting activities, road maintenance
activities, mineral extraction, and the moving, depositing, stockpiling,
or storing of soil, rock, or earth materials.
EMERGENCY SPILLWAY
A conveyance area that is used to pass peak discharge greater
than the maximum design storm controlled by the stormwater facility.
ENCROACHMENT
A structure or activity that changes, expands or diminishes
the course, current or cross section of a watercourse, floodway or
body of water.
EROSION
The movement of soil particles by the action of water, wind,
ice, or other natural forces.
ERSAM
Existing Resource and Site Analysis Map.
EXCEPTIONAL VALUE WATERS
Surface waters of high quality which satisfy Pennsylvania
Code Title 25, Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality
Standards, § 93.4b(b) (relating to antidegradation).
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The initial condition of a project site prior to the proposed
construction. If the initial condition of the site is undeveloped
land, the land use shall be considered as "meadow" unless the natural
land cover is proven to generate lower curve numbers or Rational "C"
values.
FLOOD
A general but temporary condition of partial or complete
inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of streams,
rivers, and other waters of this commonwealth.
FLOODPLAIN
Any land area susceptible to inundation by water from any
natural source or delineated as a special flood hazard area on the
applicable National Flood Insurance Program Flood Insurance Rate Map
(FIRM) prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Also included are areas that comprise Group 13 Soils, as listed in
Appendix A of the Pennsylvania DEP of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Technical Manual for Sewage Enforcement Officers (as amended or replaced
from time to time by DEP).
FLOODWAY
The channel of the watercourse and those portions of the
adjoining floodplains that are reasonably required to carry and discharge
the one-hundred-year-frequency flood. Unless otherwise specified,
the boundary of the floodway is as indicated on maps and flood insurance
studies provided by FEMA. In an area where no FEMA maps or studies
have defined the boundary of the one-hundred-year-frequency floodway,
it is assumed—absent evidence to the contrary—that the
floodway extends from the stream to 50 feet from the top of the bank
of the stream.
FOREST MANAGEMENT/TIMBER OPERATIONS
Planning and activities necessary for the management of forest
land. These include timber inventory and preparation of forest management
plans, silvicultural treatment, cutting budgets, logging road design
and construction, timber harvesting, site preparation, and reforestation.
FREEBOARD
A vertical distance between the elevation of the design high-water
and the top of a dam, levee, tank, basin, or diversion ridge. The
space is required as a safety margin in a pond or basin.
GRADE
A slope, usually of a road, channel, or natural ground, specified
in percent and shown on plans as specified herein.
GRASSED WATERWAY
A natural or constructed waterway, usually broad and shallow,
covered with erosion-resistant grasses, used to conduct surface water.
HIGH QUALITY WATERS
Surface waters having quality which exceeds levels necessary
to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation
in and on the water by satisfying Pennsylvania Code Title 25, Environmental
Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, § 93.4b(a).
HYDROLOGIC REGIME (NATURAL)
The hydrologic cycle or balance that sustains quality and
quantity of stormwater, baseflow, storage, and groundwater supplies
under natural conditions.
HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP
A classification of soils by the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, formerly the Soil Conservation Service, into four runoff
potential groups. The groups range from A soils, which are very permeable
and produce little runoff, to D soils, which are not very permeable
and produce much more runoff.
HYETOGRAPH
A graphical representation of average rainfall, rainfall
excess rates, or volumes over specified areas during successive units
of time during a storm.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that prevents the percolation of water into the
ground such as building rooftops, pavement, sidewalks, driveways and
compacted earth or turf.
IMPOUNDMENT
A retention or detention basin designed to retain stormwater
runoff and release it at a controlled rate.
INFILL
Development that occurs on smaller parcels that remain undeveloped
but are within or in very close proximity to urban areas. The development
relies on existing infrastructure and does not require an extension
of water, sewer, or other public utilities.
INFILTRATION
The passing of stormwater through the soil from the surface.
INFILTRATION STRUCTURES
A structure designed to direct runoff into the ground (e.g.,
French drains, seepage pits, seepage trench).
INLET
A surface connection to a closed drain. A structure at the
diversion end of a conduit. The upstream end of any structure through
which water may flow.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
(1)
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts,
or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(a)
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings,
whether initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building
on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure;
or
(b)
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially
or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective
occupants by means of, or for the purpose of, streets, common areas,
leaseholds, condominiums, building groups, or other features.
(3)
Development in accordance with Section 503(1.1) of the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code Act of 1968 (Act 247).
LAND EARTH DISTURBANCE
Any activity involving grading, tilling, digging, or filling
of ground or stripping of vegetation or any other activity that causes
an alteration to the natural condition of the land.
LIMITING ZONE
A soil horizon or condition in the soil profile or underlying
strata which includes one of the following:
(1)
A seasonal high water table, whether perched or regional, determined
by direct observation of the water table or indicated by soil mottling.
(2)
A rock with open joints, fracture or solution channels, or masses
of loose rock fragments, including gravel, with insufficient fine
soil to fill the voids between the fragments.
(3)
A rock formation, other stratum or soil condition which is so
slowly permeable that it effectively limits downward passage of effluent.
MAIN STEM (MAIN CHANNEL)
Any stream segment or other runoff conveyance facility used
as a reach in the Delaware River South Creek hydrologic model.
MANNING EQUATION (MANNING FORMULA)
A method for calculation of velocity of flow (e.g., feet
per second) and flow rate (e.g., cubic feet per second) in open channels
based upon channel shape, roughness, depth of flow and slope. Open
channels may include closed conduits so long as the flow is not under
pressure.
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
Pollution that enters a body of water from diffuse origins
in the watershed and does not result from confined or discrete conveyances.
NRCS
Natural Resources Conservation Service (previously SCS).
OPEN CHANNEL
A drainage element in which stormwater flows with an open
surface. Open channels include, but shall not be limited to, natural
and man-made drainageways, swales, streams, ditches, canals, and pipes
flowing partly full.
OUTFALL
Point where water flows from a conduit, stream, or drain.
OUTLET
Points of water disposal from a stream, river, lake, tidewater
or artificial drain.
PARENT TRACT
The parcel of land from which a land development or subdivision
originates as of the date of the original Delaware River South stormwater
ordinance adoption.
PARKING LOT STORAGE
Involves the use of impervious parking areas as temporary
impoundments with controlled release rates during rainstorms.
PEAK DISCHARGE
The maximum rate of stormwater runoff from a specific storm
event.
PENN STATE RUNOFF MODEL (CALIBRATED)
The computer-based hydrologic modeling technique adapted
to the Delaware River South watershed for the Act 167 plan. The model
has been calibrated to reflect actual recorded flow values by adjoining
key model input parameters.
PIPE
A culvert, closed conduit, or similar structure (including
appurtenances) that conveys stormwater.
PMF - PROBABLE MAXIMUM FLOOD
The flood that may be expected from the most severe combination
of critical meteorological and hydrologic conditions that are reasonably
possible in any area. The PMF is derived from the probable maximum
precipitation (PMP) as determined based on data obtained from the
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
PRETREATMENT
Techniques employed in stormwater BMPs to provide storage
or filtering to help trap coarse materials and other pollutants before
they enter the system.
RECHARGE AREA
Undisturbed surface area or depression where stormwater collects,
and a portion of which infiltrates and replenishes the underground
and groundwater.
RECONSTRUCTION
The process by which existing developed area is adaptively
reused, rehabilitated, restored, renovated, and/or expanded. The development
relies on existing infrastructure and does not require an extension
of water, sewer, or other public utilities.
RECORD DRAWINGS
Original documents revised to suit the as-built conditional
and subsequently provided by the engineer to the client. The engineer
takes the contractor's as-builts, reviews them in detail with
his/her own records for completeness, then either turns these over
to the client or transfers the information to a set or reproducibles,
in both cases for the client's permanent records.
REDEVELOPMENT
The construction, alteration, or improvement exceeding 5,000
square feet of land disturbance performed on sites where existing
land use is commercial, industrial, institutional, or multifamily
residential.
REGULATED ACTIVITIES
Actions or proposed actions that have an impact on stormwater runoff and that are specified in §
153-700D of this chapter.
RELEASE RATE
The percentage of existing conditions peak rate of runoff
from a site or subarea to which the proposed conditions peak rate
of runoff must be reduced to protect downstream areas.
RETENTION BASIN
An impoundment in which stormwater is stored and not released
during the storm event. Stored water may be released from the basin
at some time after the end of the storm.
RETURN PERIOD
The average interval, in years, within which a storm event
of a given magnitude can be expected to recur. For example, the twenty-five-year
return period rainfall would be expected to recur on the average of
once every 25 years.
RISER
A vertical pipe extending from the bottom of a pond that
is used to control the discharge rate from the pond for a specified
design storm.
ROOFTOP DETENTION
Temporary ponding and gradual release of stormwater falling
directly onto flat roof surfaces by incorporating controlled-flow
roof drains into building designs.
RUNOFF
Any part of precipitation that flows over the land surface.
SALDO
Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
SEDIMENT BASIN
A barrier, dam, or retention or detention basin located and
designed to retain rock, sand, gravel, silt, or other material transported
by water.
SEDIMENT POLLUTION
The placement, discharge, or any other introduction of sediment
into the waters of the commonwealth occurring from the failure to
design, construct, implement or maintain control measures and control
facilities in accordance with the requirements of the DEP Erosion
and Sediment Pollution Control Program manual.
SEDIMENTATION
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated
or deposited by the movement of water.
SEEPAGE PIT/SEEPAGE TRENCH
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
coarse material, into which surface water is directed for infiltration
into the ground.
SHEET FLOW
Runoff that flows over the ground surface as a thin, even
layer, not concentrated in a channel.
SOIL-COVER COMPLEX METHOD
A method of runoff computation developed by the NRCS that
is based on relating soil type and land use/cover to a runoff parameter
called "curve number" (CN).
SPILLWAY
A conveyance that is used to pass the peak discharge of the
maximum design storm controlled by the stormwater facility.
STORAGE INDICATION METHOD
A reservoir routing procedure based on solution of the continuity
equation (inflow minus outflow equals the change in storage) with
outflow defined as a function of storage volume and depth.
STORM FREQUENCY
The number of times that a given storm event occurs or is
exceeded on the average in a stated period of years. See "return period."
STORM SEWER
A system of pipes and/or open channels that conveys intercepted
runoff and stormwater from other sources, but excludes domestic sewage
and industrial wastes.
STORMWATER
The total amount of precipitation reaching the ground surface.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition,
design, or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater
runoff. Typical stormwater management facilities include, but are
not limited to, detention and retention basins, open channels, storm
sewers, pipes, and infiltration structures.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The plan for managing stormwater runoff in the Delaware River
South watershed adopted by Bucks County as required by the Act of
October 4, 1978, P.L. 864, (Act 167), and known as the "Delaware River
South Watershed Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan."
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SITE PLAN
The plan prepared by the applicant or his representative
indicating how stormwater runoff will be managed at the particular
site of interest according to this chapter.
STREAM BUFFER
The land area adjacent to each side of a stream, essential
to maintaining water quality, measured 150 feet from the top of the
bank.
STREAM ENCLOSURE
A bridge, culvert, or other structure in excess of 100 feet
in length upstream to downstream which encloses a regulated water
of this commonwealth.
SUBAREA
The smallest drainage unit of a watershed for which stormwater
management criteria have been established in the stormwater management
plan.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision of a lot, tract, or parcel of
land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other
divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the
purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition of the court
for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building
or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease
of land for agricultural proposes into parcels of more than 10 acres,
not involving any new street or easement of access or any residential
dwelling, shall be exempted.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface
water runoff.
TIME OF CONCENTRATION (Tc)
The time for surface runoff to travel from the hydraulically
most distant point of the watershed to a point of interest within
the watershed. This time is the combined total of overland flow time
and flow time in pipes or channels, if any.
(TO) GRADE
To finish the surface of a roadbed, top of embankment, or
bottom of excavation.
WATERCOURSE
A river, brook, creek, or a channel or ditch for water, whether
natural or man made, with perennial or intermittent flow.
WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, ditches, watercourses,
storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands, ponds, springs, and all
other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground
water, or parts thereof, whether natural or artificial, within or
on the boundaries of this commonwealth.
WELLHEAD
(1)
A structure built over a well;
(2)
The source of water for a well.
WELLHEAD PROTECTION AREA
The surface and subsurface area surrounding a water supply
well, well field, spring, or infiltration gallery supplying a public
water system, through which contaminants are reasonably likely to
move towards and reach the water source.
WETLAND
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water
or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support,
and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including
swamps, marshes, bogs, ferns, and similar areas.